‘Occupy’ meets Oakland police head-on in front of City Hall Tuesday

Hundreds of Occupy Oakland protesters crowded the Oakland Public Library lawn on Tuesday afternoon to regroup after police stormed their encampment at City Hall, arresting dozens that morning. After updating the gathering crowd on the status of those who had been arrested, one speaker announced the group would march to City Hall, and retake the plaza. Police dressed in riot gear quickly responded to the march, blocking the group from entering major streets. Tensions quickly escalated when the crowd pushed through a police line onto Broadway. While most refrained from overt violence, some officers threw tear gas and attacked the crowd with batons, while some protesters clobbered police with paint-filled balloons.